It is not about adding years to your life, but adding life to your years.
As a doctor who has worked in provincial public hospitals during my residency and now runs my own clinic in the capital, I've seen a world of drastically different healthcare practices. A question that always crosses my mind when I see the trend of longevity – living a long and healthy life while remaining youthful – is good health a fundamental part of longevity, or is longevity merely a byproduct of good health?
Good health means having the strength to face another day.
During my time as a doctor, I encountered patients whose healthcare was tied to the realities of life. Making ends meet was their primary goal, and having the energy to work the next day was their ultimate objective. Health trends like clean eating, gym workouts, or skin vitamin injections were distant and might seem like a luxury to them. In that context, good health meant not being seriously ill to the point of being unable to work, having continuous medication for diabetes and high blood pressure, and simply being able to keep their bodies going another day.
A world of longevity where health has become a symbol of status.
Conversely, when people opened their own clinics in the city, the world of healthcare seemed to be elevated to another level. Patients were no longer focused solely on preventing illness, but on achieving their "best" self. Body fat measurements, VO2MAX tests, and anti-aging treatments to appear younger than their actual age became the new standard. The longevity trend was driven by innovation and technology that required significant "capital" to access—both money and time. It became a new status symbol, much like a sports car or luxury watch, where results could be measured numerically and proudly displayed.
The voice of the majority, who simply drift through each day.
This raises an interesting question from a general perspective. I once had friends in their forties who said that none of them wanted to live to be a hundred, and they couldn't imagine how most people with middle to low incomes could access this longevity trend, given that they barely have the time and energy for daily life. This perspective reflects the reality that high-investment health trends are creating an invisible barrier in society.
Reconsidering the definition of "long life" from a cost-effective perspective.
Therefore, we may need to redefine the term "longevity." Longevity, without excessive spending on health trends, may not be about extending one's lifespan as long as possible, but rather about having "good health appropriate to one's age and lifestyle." Beauty and youthfulness arise naturally from within, from a clear mind, sufficient rest, exercise within one's means, and choosing foods and cosmetics that are within one's budget. The story of the 90-year-old man who still happily plays tennis but has no friends his age left, provides another perspective for reflection: Is a long but lonely life truly what we desire?
Go back to basics: reduce, stop, and quit before seeking new solutions.
However, this trend has its own advantages. Many see it as a positive development that encourages people to become more aware of healthy lifestyles. The key, however, may not be about pursuing expensive items or cutting-edge technology, but rather focusing on the fundamentals of self-care. We don't necessarily need to start with ice baths or red light therapy; we can begin by quitting things that harm our bodies, such as junk food, late nights, heavy drinking, or heavy smoking. Doing these basic things first is the most worthwhile and sustainable investment in our health.
From a doctor's perspective: Good health shouldn't be a burden.
Ultimately, looking at the bigger picture, I believe that "longevity," as it's currently a popular trend, is merely a subset of "good health" that has been commodified and competed for. True "good health," however, has a far broader meaning. It's a state of complete physical and mental well-being; a sense of personal peace and happiness that doesn't require comparison to others. When we achieve true good health, a long and fulfilling life will naturally follow, without us having to chase after it, which can become a burden and cause suffering.
